On October 16, Bonnie Thurber joined Hongfeng Guo in Beijing
to visit eight local schools.

Bonnie and Hongfeng traveled by Beijing subway, bus, taxi
and trains to the North, South and West of Beijing.

They presented basic HOU and IASC information to students in
grades 5 -12 in each of these schools. Many students seemed excited by the
thought of studying astronomy while others were so exhausted from their study,
the fell asleep in their chairs. No one snored.

Their first visit was with teachers who wanted to hear about
the US school day. Bonnie Thurber talked
about an average school day in a suburban public school and in a Chicago Public
School. She talked about hands-on work in classrooms and labs and mentioned
Carl Pennypacker’s paper about how hands-on work can improve student test
scores. Hongfeng presented
GHOU/HOU-China and talked about students learning more about IASC. They both
presented their project named “Moon Over Us,” talked about how collaborations
can improve friendly relationships among students in many countries.

In next four schools, Hongfeng and Bonnie presented to
students. Their presentations started with GHOU, HOU-China and moved into IASC.
They included “Moon Over Us” as the last presentation before student question
and answers. The students had great questions and Bonnie and Hongfeng had more
questions for them as answers.

Presentation seven was mostly for parents. Bonnie talked
about what students from the US do after school and at home. Then, Hongfeng
talked about GHOU-HOU and IASC. As
always, they finished with “Moon Over Us.”

At the last school, Bonnie had a real treat; she met with
some of the students who were in the Solar System Ballet that Hongfeng
presented at GHOU Conference in Hawaii.

Bonnie had a great trip to China and would like to go back.
She made many new friends. Hongfeng will be working with lots and lots of
students in the year to come!